Earlier this year, interest was piqued on the blogosphere after a mystery house just off Dixie Highway was discovered by a pretty pickle who noted the quiet serenity of its extensive grounds. The detective instincts of bloggers everywhere led by The Valley Report kicked in and in no time we learned all about the Hicks House.
Recently, The Valley Report broke news that the newly re-discovered house is set to burn during a training exercise for the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department. Â I checked in with the fire department to look for a few more details, but few are available. There is no date for the controlled burn and no word on the future use of the property.
Here’s what we do know about 8601 Dixie Highway, the former home of Dr. Hicks who practiced medicine at 28th and Madison Street many years ago. The original property was once much larger, with more than 150 acres and several houses. Strip mall and fast food development along Dixie Highway has slowly whittled away at the property. Above the Hicks House is a more modern brick house build by Dr. Hicks’ son who also happened to build the “Jesus Saves” sign on Dixie Highway. The house is believed to date to the 1920s when it was a stopping point for travelers heading south on a two lane gravel road we now call the Wide, Wide, Dixie Highway.
The Valley Report has uncovered many more details about the house (and some more photos) and you can check them out here and here and here and here.
I wish they’d fix it up nice and let me live in it free. LOL…..I’m serious